Press Release

Innovation Has A Name: A. O. Smith

Ashland City, TN (Tuesday, 22 April 2008)

With an unmatched history of quality and pioneering innovation, A. O. Smith Water Heaters has delivered advanced hot water solutions for more than 70 years. A. O. Smith continues leading the way through its focus on offering revolutionary energy efficient and environmentally friendly products that maintain the standard of excellence for which the company is well known.

In a bold expression of this focus, A. O. Smith Water Heaters is introducing new branding efforts to further reiterate its commitment to high-efficiency water heating solutions. The company will unveil new collateral items over the next several months that include brochures, business cards and letterhead. The new look can also be seen on www.hotwater.com.

At the center of all items will be the new A. O. Smith logo that will feature an innovative design and a new color. The company chose green, to replace the blue used since 1977 to represent its commitment to efficient products that will benefit the environment.

“At A. O. Smith, we believe in setting standards, and there is no better time than now to have our look reflect our mindset,” said Ajita Rajendra, president, A. O. Smith Water Products Company. “As businesses across the world make a conscious effort to make positive changes for the environment, we are working to add to our current list of energy-efficient products such as the Vertex™ and Cyclone®, by introducing new products to market.”

A. O. Smith took its brand a step further by creating a new branding message: “Innovation Has A Name,” which signifies the company's position in the market as an industry leader in product innovation and technology. An example of its industry leading product development is the A. O. Smith Cyclone® product line. This line is one of the most technologically advanced commercial water heaters in the industry. The new Cyclone Xi, introduced in 2007, operates at up to 96 percent thermal efficiency with significantly lower operating costs compared to standard models 80 percent thermal efficiency.

In 2006, A. O. Smith applied this advanced technology to the residential market with the release of the Vertex™ hybrid gas-condensing water heater, which combines the positive attributes of both storage-type and on-demand technology for enhanced high-efficiency performance. Developed in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Energy, the 90 percent thermally efficient Vertex™ offers higher input with more efficient combustion to produce more hot water at lower operating costs.

In April 2008, A. O. Smith will launch the new Vertex 100. This addition to the Vertex family will offer 95 percent thermal efficiency.

About A. O. Smith:

Headquartered in Ashland City, Tenn., A. O. Smith Water Products Company is a leading manufacturer and marketer of residential and commercial water heaters and hydronic boilers. With plants in McBee, South Carolina and Johnson City, Tennessee, A. O. Smith offers contractors an additional competitive advantage in that the company designs, builds, distributes and field supports the world’s broadest and deepest line of residential and commercial water heaters, as well as commercial boilers. This single-source concept simplifies ordering, installation and service and is backed by more than 70 years of research and innovation. For more information, visit www.hotwater.com.